20150614

Skincare Updates #1 | High-End Products


It’s been ages since I’ve done a skincare post (this is definitely going to change going forwards!) so I thought instead of doing an updated full routine, I would just clue you in on new products I’ve been testing these past few months but haven’t posted proper reviews on. For reference, I have combination skin prone to dullness and dehydration. 


Adored by bloggers and YouTubers, I had a Look Fantastic voucher so decided it was time to finally see what all the hype was about (it is also available on Cult Beauty, Beauty Bay and from Space NK). Whilst ‘disappointed’ may be a bit strong, I really didn’t find this as life-changing as I’d hoped. To state the obvious it’s a gel cleanser which emulsifies on slightly damp or just-washed skin. You have two options here: use it as your morning cleanser on bare skin or use it to remove makeup at the end of the day. I have tried it for removing makeup however I found it a bit irritating on the eyes and not as effective at removal as say, the Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil or Balm (which are both really gentle on the eyes). Therefore the past few weeks I’ve switched to using it as a morning cleanser. I like it well enough as my skin feels nice and soft after using it. I do also like the clean, easy pump dispenser, though the opaque packaging may make it hard to see how much you have left when you're getting towards the bottom of the bottle.

It has a bit of a brightening and plumping effect but not anything particularly impressive. I like the very light fragrance and it feels nice on the skin but it’s not changing my life any time soon. All in all I’ll use it until it’s done and I don’t dislike it but I won’t be rushing out to re-purchase it at £28 a go. 

The key ingredients here are Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Starflower Oil.



Maybe not strictly high-end but more expensive than I'd usually pay for this kind of product. This is such a cult product however I really was unsure what it actually is or what it’s supposed to do! ASOS did one of their legendary 20% off everything events so I took the opportunity to snap this up (you can also get it on Cult Beauty, from their flagship store on Carnaby Street in London or Liberty's). It is essentially part toner, part chemical exfoliator. This means it’s gentle enough to use twice a day as you would a normal toner and for me personally at this time of year it’s completely removed the need to use an abrasive face scrub. 

It makes a subtle but impressive difference to the quality of my skin. It looks and feels healthier, I feel as though it evens out my skin tone and gets rid of a lot of the dullness I suffer from. I’m sure other people don’t notice but I definitely feel my skin has been given a vibrancy it was missing before. I also have found my pores have been slightly refined since introducing this product into my routine. There is a gorgeous fragrance produced not through irritating perfumes but through it’s natural ingredients (though you may still want to check that none of these will irritate you personally). 

The main ingredients are Ginseng, Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel and Glycolic Acid.


Another one purchased with my Look Fantastic voucher (also available from Feel Unique, Beauty Bay and Selfridges) and a product I felt was much more worth the hype! As you can probably see, I'm slightly addicted to this product (I rarely use any of my other face masks these days) and I've actually already ordered a back-up.

If you dislike the stiff, drying feel of a clay mask then this could very well be your perfect alternative. It comes out in a very honey-like consistency and instead of sitting on top of the skin when you leave it on for 15 minutes, it semi sinks in.

I've never come across a product that treats both of my very different but very annoying skin concerns: blemishes and dehydration. However this somehow does both. It moisturises and cleanses, keeping my skin both nourished and clear. I find it so balancing and I use this every other day. This product really has done wonders for my skin and it's something I will be re-purchasing over and over again. Though I really like the packaging it's hard to tell how much is left and to get out every single last drop.

Ingredients include Manuka Honey, Vitamin E and Mandarin Oil.


I had £10 of Debenhams Beauty Card points and they did a 10% off so I begrudgingly placed an order for this apparent wonder-oil (I've had endless issues with them online before). As I've mentioned before, I suffer from dullness and a lack of vibrancy in my skin so I was hoping this would help with that. Let me tell you; it didn't disappoint!

I simply spread a couple of drops across my face before bed 3-5 nights a week and when I wake up in the morning my lacklustre skin looks and feels so much more alive. It really helps to plump out any dehydration lines (whilst I realise they're not 'wrinkles', it's annoying to have them at 22!) and adds some much-needed glow to my skin. The results really are miraculous and come about literally overnight! I had been a little apprehensive about using an oil on my combination skin however this sinks in without a trace whilst a sleep. Although I wouldn't say it especially improves the appearance of my breakouts, it certainly didn't aggravate them as I feared. It gives my skin a real boost and if you think yours needs a serious moisture injection, definitely try this out.

The ingredients are purportedly 99% natural and include Lavender and Evening Primrose Oil.


The 1 Minute Facial is such a great product for busy women as you can massage it on, brush your teeth and by the time you're done it's ready to come off again. In the mornings I simply don't have time to mess around with putting on masks for 15 minutes so this is perfect. It comes out as a sort of gel/paste with tiny exfoliating pieces in it. Once I rinse it away there's an instant improvement in the look of my skin. It looks healthier, more vibrant and glowing. It's almost as though a fresh new layer of skin has been revealed.

The Glycolactic Radiance Renewal is a very fruity-smelling but natural formula. It has a smooth marmalade-like consistency and you simply smooth this over your skin, leave for 15 minutes and rinse. REN do say this isn't suitable for very sensitive skin and that you may experience tingling when using this mask. Personally, I didn't experience any sensations. When rinsed off it has a similar effect to the 1 Minute Facial, however I find this a little more plumping. My skin looks so much healthier and vibrant after using this mask that I've already re-purchased a full-sized bottle.

Again, they do not harden on the skin or dry it out, they have more gel-like textures. The main ingredients in the 1 Minute Facial are Vitamin C and Coconut Alkanes. The main ingredients in the Radiance Renewal Mask are Citrus Fruit Extract and Glycerin. 

Make sure you stay tuned for a mid-range edition of this and finally the budget version!


Have you tried any of these products? How did they work for you?


 


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27 comments

  1. I've heard SO much about the Oskia Renaissance gel, definitely need to give it a go although it's a shame you weren't blown away. The pixi glow tonic sounds amazing though.... fab post lovely :)

    Elle
    www.theellenextdoor.com
    xx

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  2. I really want to try out the PIXI glow tonic :) I really hope ASOS does their 20% off again so I can pick this up.I think its quite similar to the Alpha H liquid gold which I have been lusting for but I guess this one is a little bit on the cheaper side of things.

    Lovely post, Definitley need to invest in that REN mask!
    Have a lovely day ♥

    Ying | * Y i n g c b e a u t y *

    X x X x X

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  3. I absolutely LOVE the Pixi Glow Tonic - I used it last year and didn't realise at the time how much of a difference it did make but I'm glad to say I know now; I agree with everything you wrote about it! I really want to try the Antipodes mask too - I have dehydrated yet blemish prone skin as well so I would definitely benefit from it. Great post :)
    Rebecca | The Two Twenty Somethings
    Xx

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  4. Thanks for sharing this - I meant to try Kiehl's Recovery Concentrate for a year now and I still contemplate but after reading this I'll definitely pick it up sometime soon, and I really wanna try the REN Glycolactic Renewal Mask but it wasn't sold at the local Space NK store before I left! :( xx

    www.angerawrs.co.uk | A DATE WITH THAT GRACE GIRL

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  5. I LOVE the Pixi Glow Tonic! I have been using it for 1,5 years now and I can't live without it. I really want to try the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask. I have heard so many good stories about it!

    X Marjolein
    http://misscocoblue.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. If you love the Glow Tonic I think you'll love the REN mask :) xx

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  6. I love the Kiehl's oil, but I need to try the Pixi glow tonic!

    Sara - She Who Is Short

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  7. Love that you're doing a high end, mid range and a budget one of these, love having a look at what people use on their skin, so interesting! Love the idea of the Antipodes mask sinking in, I really want a nice hydrating mask and for some reason I love that it comes in a tube like that, so understated!
    cottonandcandie xx

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  8. I keep hearing so much about the Pixi glow tonic, I really need to give it a try as some of my pores are getting huge. The honey mask sounds great and really nourishing too :)

    Velvet Blush

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  9. Really loving the sound of that Pixi Glow Tonic! I love that you've gone into so much depth about each product, like a mini review of each one. So helpful! I've nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award!

    katiegoodluck.blogspot.co.uk

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad it was helpful! And thanks I'll check it out xx

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  10. I love the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, mostly because I really enjoy the texture and scent :) I really want to try the Antipodes mask, which sounds perfect for my skin, and the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate is something I've been curious about for a while too.

    Amy | Lilac Lemon

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  11. I've always been so much more open about spending more money on skincare, these brands are so fab I need to give them a go! X

    Bioderma Blogger Event over at-
    hailandharmony.blogspot.ie
    // BLOGLOVIN

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  12. Absolutely love Kiehl's midnight recovery oil, but you should the body shop bounce sleep mask thing it's amazing... You will wake up with such a pretty heathy glow on your face, definitely get a sample the next time you walk into that store..

    Sam || Beautydetour

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  13. I started using the Pixi Glow Tonic this week, and so far I'm really enjoying it!

    Jenny | That Northern Gal

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  14. I LOVE the Pixi Glow Tonic! I resisted buying it for so long, but I snapped it up when ASOS had 20% off recently and I'm so annoyed at myself for waiting for so long xx

    Gemma | Miss Makeup Magpie

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  15. I LOVE the Kiehls oil, it's so smooth and leaves my skin feeling so un-stressed. I am the worst blogger though as I have not yet tried the Glow Tonic *hides face in shame*

    Hayley @ Tea Party Beauty

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  16. I really need to get my hands on the Pixi tonic as I keep thinking about getting it. Not too sure about the Kiehls oil as I had a sample and it broke me out :(

    Pams Stuff and Things | Ance Ultra Clear Giveaway

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a shame! I can see how some of the ingredients could be irritating to sensitive skin xx

      Delete
  17. Oh I'm sad to hear you didn't love the Oskia cleanser as I've recently fallen hard for it. I also love the Antipodes & REN masks you mentioned and really want to try the Kiehl's... actually you've just reminded me that I want to buy their new eye cream with SPF too!

    Nic x

    StrawberryBlondeBeauty

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  18. Great post Jasmine as this contains a lot of products I want to try ! Thanks for the review. I have been using the Kiehls facial oil and really enjoying that. I wanna try the Antipodes mask and the REN products

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  19. Thank you for your comments ladies - glad you found this helpful :) xx

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  20. haven't tried these products myself, but i'm hearing more and more amazing things about them, omg i need to try these guys, hah!

    http://karolinakz.blogspot.com/

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  21. Absolutely loving the sound of that Manuka honey face mask! As you know I'm kinda obsessed with the good things one- it's so kind to my dehydrated skin and that mask is one the top of my list for the next time I do a skincare haul. This was a really helpful post btw Jasmine, looking forwards to more in the future ^_^
    Iqra |The Blushing Giraffe x

    ReplyDelete

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